Pakistan suicide attack kills 13
Written by on March 13th, 2010 in Latest News.
An injured victim is rescued by volunteers after Saturday’s suicide bombing in Saidu Sharif, a town in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. (Naveed Ali/Associated Press)At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured after a suicide bomber blew himself up Saturday near a security checkpoint in Pakistan’s Swat Valley.
Police are calling the attack part of a renewed Taliban push in northwest Pakistan after the government launched a major offensive against militants last year.
Police say the bomber was driving a motorized rickshaw and was trying to get to a courthouse in the small town of Saidu Sharif.
Witnesses say the man blew himself up as he was confronted at a security checkpoint, killing civilians as well as two soldiers and two police officers.
The blast injured 52 people.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Zia-ur-Rehman said he was travelling in another rickshaw when the blast shook the street and violently jolted his vehicle.
“I thought somebody picked me up and then threw me down,” said the 24-year-ancient, who was covered with cuts and bruises. “Everybody was crying.”
The Pakistani army wrested control of the area from the Taliban in its massive military campaign, but maintaining security has been hard.
On Friday, two suicide bombers attacked military vehicles in Lahore, killing dozens of people.
With files from The Associated Press
